CERN openlab is a
framework for evaluating and integrating cutting-edge IT
technologies or services in partnership with industry,
focusing on future versions of the
WLCG.
Through close collaboration with leading industrial
partners, CERN acquires early access to technology that is
still years from general computing market. In return, CERN
offers expertise and highly demanding computing environment
for pushing new technologies to their limits and provides a
neutral ground for carrying out advanced R&D with various
partners.

This initiative has
been organised into successive three-year phases. In
openlab-I
(2003–2005) the focus was on the development of an advanced
prototype called
opencluster, and
openlab-II (2006–2008)
addressed a range of domains from platforms, databases and
interoperability to security and networking. The third phase –
openlab-III (2009–2011) –
was not only capitalizing on and extending the successful work
carried out in openlab-II, but was also tackling new
crucial areas.

The framework
of the third phase of openlab is similar to the previous
ones, with the aim of hosting a few major projects with a
particular focus on technologies and services relevant to
CERN as the WLCG Tier-0 as well as other nodes in the Grid.
The technical activities are organised in different domains
of competence:

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Information Technology Department at the European Organization
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CERN copyright notice.